Creating a soccer training schedule for an entire season takes careful planning. We need to consider the individuals we’re working with, our environment, what our players want to achieve, and then how we can help them accomplish their goals within those parameters. But the process isn’t necessarily as complicated as it seems. Below, we discuss the key components of a successful training program, how to adapt it when circumstances require, and how to create an appropriate training schedule for our own teams. In This Article…
Get 5 free small-sided games to help you coach your next training session.
By signing up for Player Development Project, you agree to Player Development Project’s Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
Trusted by
PDP Membership
On-Demand Coaching Lessons and Weekly Content
PDP Members can explore a massive library of on-demand coaching content, with new articles, videos, sessions and interviews published every week. PDP Membership includes:
- Coaching Guides
- PDP Session Plan library and Live Sessions
- Q&A Video Discussions
- Masterclass Discussion Videos
- Research Reviews
PLUS, You will be invited to our exclusive online Slack Community where you can ask questions, share ideas and discuss coaching, anytime.
Coaching Guides
Latest Free Coaching Guides
Communicating with children is a fundamental part of youth coaching. How we interact and connect with our players underpins everything else we do, making it vital that we learn to communicate effectively and form positive relationships. In this article, we explain why it’s so important to connect with our players, discuss the value of empowerment in learning, and consider some effective strategies for communicating with children. In This Article The Importance of Connecting Knowing When to Intervene Effective Communication Strategies Empowering Our Players Communicating With…
Goalkeepers occupy a unique position on the pitch, requiring a highly specific skill set. But as the demands of the modern game require ‘keepers to resemble outfield players more closely, should we adapt our approach to goalkeeper training? Here, we discuss when young players should specialise as goalkeepers, consider the specific skills required by goalkeepers today, and explain how a multisport approach can help young players to develop key skills and physical attributes. Click here to watch the full Masterclass Discussion with Yilmaz Aksoy In…
Coaching Courses
Physical Performance Through Soccer
Learn how to use the game to enhance the physical performance of your players, regardless of their age or ability.
We’ve designed this course to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of football movement, football fitness and some key principles which will help ensure the physical development of your players.
By the end of the course, we aim to have you walk away with practical tools to help players of all ages. You’ll have a solid understanding of the 3S’s (speed, strength and stamina), how to use the game of football to achieve physical outcomes, a strong understanding of growth and maturation, how to measure and manage training load, advice on warm-ups, considerations for female athletes and practical sessions you can deliver with physical performance in mind.
You can work through the course in your own time, we’ll provide several resources for you to download as well as a few quizzes to check your understanding along the way.
Coaching Courses
Foundations of Session Design
As coaches our goal should be to maximise the potential of our players and create a positive experience for them to enjoy.
This means understanding what they want to achieve, what they need to get there, then creating an environment which supports their goals and helps them grow.
This course is designed for coaches of all abilities. We aim to challenge your thinking, provide you with innovative ideas, and most importantly, practical solutions to implement with your players, right away.
By the time you complete the course, you will be more confident than ever of designing realistic, bespoke sessions for your players which will support their development.
Coaching Courses
Introduction to Soccer Coaching Course
We know that the majority of coaches out there are volunteers - first time coaches, who may not have a background in soccer. We also know that these coaches don't have time to spend hours and hours searching for answers online about how to effectively coach.
So we teamed up with Rob Sherman, one of the best coach educators in the world, to deliver a 100% online course that you can complete from home, in your own time, on any device.
Specifically designed for coaches working with U6 - U12 players, this course will give you a system for using the 50+ practices we provide, and putting them into a session framework to save time each week.
We've helped thousands of coaches with different experience levels working with different age groups.
Now we can help you too.
Slack Community
Ask Questions, Share ideas and Discuss Coaching
The PDP Slack Community is the hub for all coaching conversations - all PDP Members and Course Participants are invited to join.
Every day, the community is discussing session plans, new ideas, and supporting each other to grow as coaches. The PDP Coaching Team, are on there every day answering questions, posting content and supporting coaches.
So start your PDP Membership, or sign up for one of the PDP Coaching Academy Courses, and you'll be invited to join the conversation.